Regulator for dampers and the like.



E. A. WILDT. REGULATOR FOR DAMPERS AND THE LIKE APPLICATION FILED JUNE 12. I913.

Patented July 4, 1916.

REGULATOR FOR DAMPERS AND THE LIKE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 4., 1916.

Application filed June 12, 1912. Serial No. 772,250.

To all whom it may concern 1 Be it known that I, EDWARD A. TVILDT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Scranton, in the county of Lackawanna and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Regu lators for Dampers and the like; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

The present invention relates to regulators for dampers and the like and has special reference to the actuating means employed in such regulators for effecting an actuation of the controlling device.

The main object of the invention is to provide actuating means of this character which is designed to operate the controlling means in a reliable, simple and eiiicient manner.

Broadly stated, the invention consists in employing a piston operated by the actuating fluid, such as the furnace gases, and so constructing the piston that the same is rendered almost frictionless in its operation.

The invention further consists in the provision of means for controlling the speed of movement of the piston, thereby rendering the regulator more or less sensitive to the furnace pressure.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which an actuating piston of the improved form is shown in combination with a fluid pressure valve for regulating a damper or the like.

A simple form of the invention is dis closed in U. S. Patent, No. 1,046,922, of December 10, 1912, wherein it is used in combination with a valve which controls the supply of a pressure medium to a suitable motor which actuates the damper.

In this application the invention is illustrated in combination with a valve of the same general character as that illustrated in the patent above referred to, but the invention is illustrated in combination with this specific form of controlling means, merely by way of example, for, as will hereinafter appear, the invention is capable of numerous applications.

Referring to the drawing, the fluid pressure valve is denoted generally bythe reference character 1 and the motor which is actuated by a pressure medium flowing through the valve 1, is designated by the reference character 2. The damper or other element to be regulated is connected to the stem 3 carried by the piston 4 of the motor 2. The valve 1 comprises a casing 5 communieatin with an inlet pipe 6 and a discharge pipe I. A stream of fluid flowing continuously through the casing 5 passes through a passage 8 and is controlled in its passage by a needle valve 9, which obturates the passage 8, as clearly shown in the drawing. A restricted passage 10 is interposed between the inlet pipe 6 and the valve 9 and admits a portion of the fluid to the cylinder 11 in which the piston 4: is located. Obviously, when the valve 9 is in its open position, the circulating fluid will have a com paratively free passage from, the inlet pipe 6 through the casing and then through the discharge pipe 7 to the atmosphere. When the valve 9 is actuated to more nearly close the passage 8 or to entirely close the same, the fluid backs up in the passage 8 and is forced through the restricted passage 10 into the cylinder 11. The pressure of the fluid so admitted to the cylinder 11 forces the piston 4 upward and thereby opens the damper. When the valve is -moved upwardly or away from its seat, the fluid passing through the casing which is now impeded to a less extent, will be exhausted more freely and the pressure in the motor cylinder 11 will be relieved, thereby permitting the piston 4 to lower and partially or wholly close the damper. The valve 9 is connectedto a lever 12 by a link 15, the former being fulcrumed at 1.3 and preferably provided with a counter-weight 14:.

The construction so far described is of the same general form as that illustrated in Patent No. 1,046,922, hereinbefore referred to.

The improved means for actuating the controlling valve 9 preferably takes the following form. A chamber 16 communicates by means of a suitable flue 17 with the furnace'and a portion of the gases from the latter are conducted through the flue 17 and openings 18 to the chamber 16. A piston rod 19 is connected to the lever 12 and is guided in the chamber 16. Operating within the chamber 16 and connected to the piston-rod 19 is a diaphragm or piston 20 of slightly less diameter than the chamber 16 so as to be freely movable therein and free from all friction which is usually I caused by a piston sliding in contact with its cylinder walls. The chamber 16 is provided preferably in its upper face with openings 21 communicating with the atmosphere. Suitable closures 22, overlie the openings 21 and are regulable to control the the flow of air or gases through said openings.

The'operation of the construction is as follows. When the pressure of the gases in the furnace becomes excessive, the gases in passing through the fine 17 up and around the piston 20 and out through the openings 21 will force the piston upwardly, thereby rocking the lever 12 around the point 13 as a center andthereby moving the valve 9 in a closing direction. More fluid will thereby be forced into the cylinder 11 through the passage 10 and will move the piston 4 upwardly to open the damper. When the pressure has sufliciently fallen in the furnace, a draft will be created and air at atmospheric pressure will flow through the openings 21 in the cover of the chamber 16 down around the edges of the piston through the flue 17 to the furnace. The piston 20 will thereby be moved downwardly by the current of air flowing to the furnace and the valve 9 will be opened to relieve the pressure in the cylinder 11, thereby permitting the piston 4 to fall and close the damper.

As the lever 12'is fulcrumed at 13 on knife edges or'by other suitable means, and as the piston 20 is free to move in the chamber 16 under the slightest variation in pressure, the whole construction is extremely sensitive and the smallest changes in variation in the pressure ofthe furnace gases will be compensated for by the employment of the improved actuating means.

The regulation of the closures 22, as heretofore stated, controls the passage of the air or gas through the openings21 and when the said openings 21 are fully uncovered, it is obvious that the piston 20 will be actu- Coplu a! this patent may be obtained for ated by a swifter stream of fluid and thereby be quickly actuated. When the closures 22 are adjusted to more nearly close the openings 21, the passage of the air or gas through the openings will be restricted and the speed of the air or gas flowing through the chamber 16 will be reduced. The piston 20 in this case will, therefore, move more slowly. In other words, the openings 21, the size and number of which determine the range of adjustment desired, when regulated, as above described, control the amount of air or gas which passes the loosely fitting piston 20.

It is obvious that numerous modifications and changes can be made in the construction as above described without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as defined in the accompanying claims.

What I claim is z- 1. In a regulating device for dampers and the like, actuating means comprising a chamr ber communicating with the furnace, a piston mounted for reciprocation in said chamher and of less diameter than the latter, said chamber provided with openings communicating with the atmosphere, and regulable closures for said openings, substantially as and for the purpose described.

2. In a regulating device for dampers and the like, actuating means comprising a chamber, a piston mounted for reciprocation therein and of less diameter than the chamber, said chamber being in communication with the furnace at one side of the piston and having a cover at the other side thereof provided with an opening, the size of which is so chosen as to produce movement of the piston at predetermined speed and uniformity by the flowage of air or furnace gases through the chamber.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature,

E. O. BIDDLEMORE.

Washington, 10.0. 

